Palacios’ promises revisited ahead of first-ever SOCA

5/28/2025—“Where we’re at and basically how we started and what we did and what we’re doing today to make things better for the Commonwealth.”

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios told MP that will be the focus of his State of the Commonwealth Address that he will deliver tomorrow, May 29, 10am at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. 

Two-and-a-half years ago, at the very same venue that the SOCA will be held, during his and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang’s inauguration, Palacios laid out a vision for his administration that centered on restoring trust in government, fiscal discipline, and rebuilding key sectors of the Commonwealth. Marianas Press takes a look back at these promises.

Fiscal stability and government transparency

During his inauguration speech, Palacios didn’t mince words about the financial mismanagement they believed had plagued the previous administration.

“The people saw through the attempts to hide what greed and corruption have sown,” Palacios said, referring to public distrust and scandals such as the misuse of federal pandemic funds. “The emerging facts…on the state of our fiscal health is dismaying and [has] potential consequences for the Commonwealth.”

He promised to bring back fiscal discipline, adding, “We are both known for our frugal ways. We don’t look for luxury travel or extravagant expenses for fixtures and unnecessary use of public service and resources for personal or leisure time.”

Palacios said his administration would pursue “recoupment from those individuals and companies that made out like bandits” using public funds irresponsibly.

Commitment to rebuilding public safety and education

Palacios pledged to revamp the CNMI’s struggling public safety system.

“The Department of Public Safety certainly needs a major overhaul,” he said. “We will be appointing a commissioner who has the extensive enforcement experience, who will emphasize training of our officers, upgrade our investigative facilities, and re-establish the cooperation we once had with our federal agencies.”

On education, Palacios was especially critical of the state of CNMI schools and the delays in reconstruction following Typhoon Yutu.

“Our children and the educational systems…deserve way better than the Yutu emergency temporary tents that…are still being used for over four years,” he said. “Our Board of Education and PSS must account for that delay.”

He committed to constructing a new school building and ensuring that the Public School System received its lawful share of public funds “without delay.”

Palacios also addressed the expansion of government funded by one-time pandemic aid, the American Rescue Plan Act.

“Let’s take stock of what size of government we really need,” he said. “The ARPA funds were not designed to balloon the size of government and fund extravagant projects.”

He emphasized the need for workforce training and reform, pledging to “appoint experienced administrators” and work with the Civil Service Commission to “better train our employees” and improve procurement and accountability systems within each agency.

The governor acknowledged that solutions would not come quickly.

“Yes, it will take longer to put our government in order, to fix our public schools…to fix our roads, sewer and water systems,” he said. “They will all be done.”

He emphasized a need for unity across government branches and islands: “It will require a unified effort…We must stand together with the common goal of protecting our Commonwealth and its future.”

Palacios closed by drawing from his Carolinian heritage, referencing traditional navigation to highlight the importance of reflection and direction.

“Look back, get your bearings, and then move forward,” he said. “We are ready to move forward…to sail the Commonwealth’s program through the rough waters ahead.”

What the CNMI expects from the SOCA

For Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, she just hopes the Palacios administration has a plan moving forward.

“Well, I hope to hear a plan, right? You know, governing is not easy, right? Everybody has an opinion about what should and should not be done, right? But I think what the community wants to know basically is, you know, where are we at? What is this true state of the economy?” she told MP.

She added that in her conversations with community members, they communicated to her that they’re tired of CNMI leaders fighting. 

“What they're really interested in seeing is in seeing the leadership sit down together and have an honest assessment of where we're at and figure out how to get out of this mess because we are in a world of hurt. I mean, when you're hearing 2.8% occupancy rates at a hotel.”

King-Hinds also said you know the CNMI economy is really in dire straits when a recent survey showed that 20% of the islands’ population is looking at leaving to find better opportunities someplace else.

“That should all be very concerning to us. And so, you know, I'm hoping to hear what is the plan and how can we support his success in terms of achieving the plans that he's laid out.”

In a recent question Marianas Press posted on social media, netizens flooded the comments section with their own expectations on Palacios’ SOCA. 

Alejo Borja said he wants Palacios’ SOCA to address the faltering economy, lacks of jobs, paltry tourism numbers, questions on Medical Referral, and a back-up plan to reverse the brain drain of CNMI residents leaving. 

He also wants his administration to downsize the government by getting rid of non-essential employees and for Palacios to establish an agency to strictly focus economic recovery.

Bonnie Hunter, first, wants the governor to convince United Airlines to reopen its PetSafe program “so all these poor animals aren't abandoned here to die.”

She said a $3,000 charter is simply unrealistic, especially since the federal government recently cut funding for Saipan Humane Society. 

“Seems like it would be important to help people take them since there will be no funding to care for them anymore. Pet charter is currently the only way out if they are over 20 lbs. This is also keeping people out. Snowbirds usually have pets and if they are going to stay somewhere for 3-4 months, they aren't leaving their pets behind. This keeps would-be visitors out as well.”

Hunter also wants Palacios to be honest on exactly how much federal funding and how many federal jobs/departments/services have been cut in the CNMI under this administration.

“I want to know how the CNMI is going to take care of its citizens that are going to be cut from Medicaid and SNAP now that his party (GOP) passed the bill to do so. We don't even have a food bank here and people are already holding on by a thread. People will legit die without healthcare. Children are going to go without food. We also need to consider the vendors that rely on food stamp beneficiaries to stay in business. That bill was the biggest transfer of wealth from the working class and the poor to the rich. Is he proud of that bill?” she wrote.

Ignacio Dela Cruz, for his part, wants a plan to steer the CNMI away from economic collapse including plans to market the islands to other tourist markets and diversify its revenue stream.

He also wants a definitive blueprint on Palacios’ intention to “militarize the CNMI” and more transparency on ongoing infrastructure projects.

Story by Mark Rabago